Open Letter: Urgent Matters for Knysna’s Mayoral Committee

Attention: Knysna Mayoral Committee (the DA and ex-opposition COPE) and the seemingly pretend opposition, the ANC.

Please act upon the following two issues, matters to be presented to Parliament regards alleged misconduct by Knysna Municipality and Council, and further unbecoming conduct regarding the proposed public drinking areas:

1. Parliament:

As Knysna Municipality and the Council will be aware, i was invited to Parliament to present my issues:

One of the matters was the unconstitutional information blockade between you and the public. To entrench your disrespect for our country’s accountability set-up, you refused to attend Parliament, citing (according to the Secretary), the ridiculous excuse of having a Section 80 meeting.

It is notable that the Knysna-Plett Herald, under the stewardship of Editor Elaine King, has not reported on the subject.

It is notable that your 1623-page Mayoral Committee agenda this week never mentioned the subject.

My request is that you add this (and the second matter) as urgent items that seeks clarity for the benefit of the public-

Who in Knysna Municipality and the Council made the decision to not attend?

Who did the decision-maker confer with?

Who responded to Parliament?

Why has the Council not sought solution to the complaints rather than it reach this stage… and instead, effectively, banned me?

Whether i find solution solution through Parliament or another body, the goal will always to bring to account those who wasted ratepayers’ and taxpayers’ money. That should have been your job! Instead, you amplified the problem by covering it up, in essence you stating that you are more important than us, the public – you’re not.

If you add it to the agenda, do not further betray the public by making it a secret Green Paper item. The information is already in the public domain. Only the reasons for your non-action, in your words, isn’t.

2. Proposal for Public Drinking Areas:

While supposedly seeking public participation, it’s concerning that the Knysna Municipality and Council may have sought it’s own agenda by publishing a press release on the SABC website that favoured the Council’s insufficiently explained attitude rather than public reality.

I addressed DA Councillor Peter Myers regarding this and his response was not only to refuse to answer but to treat me as a liar regarding what happened at the Ward 10 public participation meeting he ‘hosted’.

My response was to send information to Elaine King, Knysna-Plett Herald’s editor with the request that she investigate the truth of the matter. I even gave her the contact details of many in attendance. She did not respond. I followed up today with a phone call in which she was clear that she would not (as she suspiciously would not regarding several matters involving me and you).

I queried Ian Uys, the Chairperson of the Knysna Ratepayers’ Association. His response reflected my own. I queried Susan Campbell and her response reflected my own.

Please answer the questions Peter Myer’s would not answer (in that email) and:

Even though she is questionable in fulfilling her role as Speaker (as she has failed to act against fellow councillors who’ve damaged our tow through bigger matters), it must be asked if Eleonor Bouw-Spies will launch a disciplinary inquiry into her fellow DA Councillor, Peter Myers?

If she doesn’t, will other councillors request it and enforce it?

By placing complaints and issues on record, it is, always and fore-mostly, hoped that you will act rather than pursue your unconstitutional and uncaring conduct. I put this in bold because it should be any reasonable person’s goal.

However, when you don’t, it becomes evidence. There will eventually be accountability for those who have wronged Knysna.

Pinch yourself as a reminder how you got into office. You work for the public. As much as you may not like it, that includes me.

Fierce lover of Knysna, the prettiest town in South Africa. Activist, avid writer and founder of Love Knysna and Knysna Website Design. Community worker through Love Knysna Projects, a voluntary association aiming to put educational smiles on children and bring the community of Knysna closer together.